BETWEEN TWO DEVILS

*OLANDRIA*

The compliments he gave me really sounded like he was trying to say more. The look in his eyes, and everything else, made me blush. He’s so handsome, and everything about him seemed soft.

The moment he left, I cleaned the table, put the drink bottles in the trash bag, and headed straight to the shower. What a hectic day it had been. The whole work stress made my whole body go numb.

I couldn’t stop thinking — from Mateo all the way to Noah. Why didn’t he want me getting close to Noah? Was it really because of the work rules, or was it just because it was me? My delusional self was still thinking maybe he was doing it to keep me in check, and that he still wanted me. Maybe he wanted to apologize for what happened over the years.

I don’t know why, but I feel so stupid for even wanting to give him a chance again, when he made it clear years ago that I wasn’t what he wanted. I really need to get my s**t together. I’m at Vance Enterprise to work and save up enough for my mom’s chemo. After that, I’ll leave. I won’t work there anymore. I’ve already made up my mind. I won’t give Mateo any more of my time.

I woke up this morning at 6 a.m., took a shower, made breakfast, ate, and went to work. I didn’t want to do anything that would get me scolded by Mateo. I needed to do my work diligently and stay out of his way, so he could stay out of mine too.

When I got to work, I met a whole pile of files that wasn’t there the previous day. His secretary walked in and said, “Boss wants you to recheck those files, put everything in place, and email it,” and then she left.

These files could have just gone to Admin, and they could have handled it. But this is one of his ways of frustrating me, I guess.

The telephone rang. “I need coffee. No sugar. In my office.” The phone hung up before I could process anything.

“Arrghh, how am I supposed to finish this pile of work if this man keeps sending me every and anything he likes?” I stood up grudgingly, went to the coffee dispenser, made the coffee in a rush, and took it back to his office.

“Drop it there,” Mateo said. No “thank you.” Nothing. I just dropped it, mean-mugged him, turned around, and left to complete my work.

I was beginning to get irritated with him because it was obvious he was trying to make me tired of this job and walk away. But I won’t give up. I need to make money for my mom’s chemotherapy before I quit.

By 6 p.m., I was still in the office sorting out those damn files — exhausted, hungry, and feeling dirty. Finally, I was done. I was tidying up my desk when I looked at my watch and saw the time: 8:00.

“f**k,” I screamed. I was probably the only one in this damn building, I thought. I picked up my bag, adjusted my skirt, and headed for the door, only to see the last person I thought I’d run into: Mateo.

“Oh, you’re just leaving the office?” I could sense the sarcasm in his voice, because he knew damn well those files took ages.

I said nothing and tried to leave. He blocked my way. I took the other way, and it was the same thing.

In anger and frustration, I said, “It’s 8 p.m., sir. Do you probably want another coffee, or do you want me to work overnight?”

“Still as fierce and hot-tempered as before. You never changed,” he said.

That enraged me even more, because it seemed like he was trying to get a rise out of me. But I wasn’t going to give him any reply or reaction. I was literally not in the mood for the bullshit he was bringing up.

Just as I brushed past him to leave, he grabbed my hand, pushed me to the wall, and brought his face close to mine. I could feel his hot breath on my skin. The way he was looking at my lips, it was like he wanted to kiss me. Then he whispered in my ear, “You still smell like what I remember. My favorite scent in the whole wide world.”

Before I could get a word out or process anything, he turned around and walked away like nothing had happened.

I wanted to go to him and slap him for thinking he could just bring up the past like that, as if he hadn’t abandoned his “favorite scent in the world” without a word. I was already angry before he came, but he made it worse. Now my day was ruined.

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